HARRY POTTER Book 4: Chapter 18
Chapter 18
THE WEIGHING OF THE WANDS
Harry wakes up on Sunday morning. The room is quiet. He feels very sad. Then he remembers the night before. He is a champion in the Triwizard Tournament. He did not want this. He pulls back the curtains of his bed. He wants to talk to Ron. He wants to explain everything. But Ron’s bed is empty. Ron is already at breakfast.
Harry gets dressed slowly. He goes down the stairs to the common room. Suddenly, everyone starts to clap. They think Harry is a hero. They think he was very clever to enter the tournament. Harry does not feel clever. He feels sick.
He sees Colin and Dennis Creevey. They wave their hands. They want to talk to him. Harry does not want to talk. He quickly leaves through the portrait hole. He finds Hermione waiting outside. She is holding a napkin with some toast.
“I brought you this,” she says. “Are you hungry?” “Not really,” Harry says. “But thank you.” “Do you want to go for a walk?” Hermione asks. “Yes,” Harry says. “I need to get away from everyone.” They walk down to the lake. The water is dark and still. The Durmstrang ship sits in the middle of the lake. It looks like a ghost ship. The air is very cold.
Harry eats the toast while they walk. He tells Hermione everything. He tells her about the small room with the other champions. He tells her about Professor Moody and the Goblet of Fire. “I didn’t put my name in the cup,” Harry says again.
“I know,” Hermione says. “I believe you, Harry. But someone did. Someone wants you to be in this tournament. It is very dangerous.” “I know,” Harry says. “And Ron won’t talk to me.” “He is jealous,” Hermione says softly. “He always feels like the second best because of his brothers. He thinks you wanted more fame.” “I don't want fame!” Harry says angrily. “I just want to be a normal student.”
They walk to the Owlery. It is a tall tower. Harry needs to send a letter. Hermione gives Harry some paper, a pen, and ink. She walks around the room and looks at the owls. Harry sits against the stone wall. He writes to Sirius.
“I’m finished,” Harry says. He stands up and cleans the straw from his robes. Hedwig flies down to his shoulder. She looks at the letter. “I cannot use you, Hedwig,” Harry says. “You are too easy to see. I must use a school owl.” Hedwig looks very angry. She flies away and sits high in the tower. Harry chooses a brown owl. He ties the letter to its leg. The owl flies away.
On Monday morning, the school is not friendly. People in the corridors point at Harry. They whisper about him. Some students wear badges. The badges say: Support Cedric Diggory – The Real Champion. Then the badges change when they are touched. Now they say: Potter Stinks. Harry goes to Potions class. The room is in the dungeon. It is cold and dark. Snape looks at Harry with a mean smile.
“Harry Potter,” Snape says. “Our new champion.” Snape makes Harry sit at a table in the back. He makes Ron sit at the front. They do not speak to each other. Harry tries to make his potion, but he cannot focus. He feels very lonely.
Suddenly, there is a knock on the door. Colin Creevey walks in. “Yes?” Snape says. “I need Harry Potter, sir,” Colin says. “He has to go upstairs. It is time for the Weighing of the Wands. All the champions must be there.” “Potter must stay here,” Snape says. “He is in class.” “Mr. Bagman wants him,” Colin says nervously. “All the champions must go.” “Fine,” Snape says. “Potter, leave your things here. Get out.”
Harry follows Colin out of the dungeon.“It’s amazing, Harry!” Colin says. “You are a champion! Can I take your picture?” “No, Colin,” Harry says. “I don't want a picture.” They go to a small room. The other champions are already there. Fleur Delacour is sitting in a corner. She looks very beautiful and calm. Viktor Krum is standing by the window. He looks grumpy. Cedric Diggory is talking to Ludo Bagman. Bagman looks very happy to see Harry.
“Harry!” Bagman cries. “Come in, come in! We are almost ready.” A man with an old camera stands in the corner. A woman with bright blonde hair and a green dress is there too. She has a big smile and very long fingernails. “This is Rita Skeeter,” Bagman says. “She is a reporter for the Daily Prophet.”
Rita Skeeter looks at Harry. Her eyes are bright. She grabs Harry’s arm. “Can I have a word with Harry?” she asks. “Before we start?” She pulls Harry into a small broom closet. It is very dark and small. “Now, Harry,” Rita says. She takes out a long, green pen. She puts the pen on a piece of paper. The pen stands up by itself. It begins to write.
“You are very young, Harry,” Rita says. “Why did you enter the tournament?” “I didn’t enter,” Harry says. The green pen writes very fast. Harry looks at the paper. The pen is writing: Harry Potter is brave and his eyes are full of tears. “I am not crying!” Harry says. “How do you feel about the tournament?” Rita asks. “Are you scared? Do you miss your parents?”
